David Favre

Executive Leader | Portfolio Strategy & Operations | Gene Therapy, Infectious diseases, Immunology, Opthalmology & Rare Diseases

Strategic biotech executive with 15+ years of experience in gene therapy and drug development. Proven expertise in portfolio strategy, cross-functional operations, governance, and matrix leadership, driving high-impact programs from discovery to clinical stage. Adept at optimizing resource allocation, regulatory path, aligning stakeholders, and fostering external partnerships to advance innovative therapies for early clinical development.

• Advanced Stargardt disease gene therapy program to Ph1/2 at SpliceBio, leading IND-enabling regulatory submissions and cross-functional team operations.
• Co-led portfolio governance and strategic reviews for AAV gene therapy programs at AskBio, including Pompe, MMA, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and congestive heart failure, ensuring alignment with company goals and resource optimization.
• Built and scaled the Translational Medicine department at AskBio from 5 to 40+ scientists, establishing operational frameworks for vector development, preclinical/Tox, and early clinical development.
• Secured strategic partnerships and funding, involved in AskBio’s $4B acquisition by Bayer, InnoSkel/SpliceBio Series A funding (€20M and €50M), and Qura Therapeutics’ $20M investment (GSK).
• Developed and executed portfolio strategies for lentiviral and AAV gene therapies in rare diseases, CNS, ophthalmology, and skeletal disorders, advancing programs through preclinical PoC and regulatory milestones.
• Forged global collaborations with academic institutions, KOLs, and biotech partners to accelerate portfolio progression and operational scalability.

• Co-founder and Part-time CSO, GeneXell, Inc., Los Angeles, CA (2023): Oversaw scientific and business strategy for AAV manufacturing capabilities, supporting investor roadshows and business plan development.
• Co-founder and Part-time CEO, SolvexBio Inc., Seattle, WA (2022–2023): Led CRO business strategy for neuromuscular assessment in large animal models (FSHD, DMD), managing operations, finance, and investor relations.
• Advisor, KineaBio, Seattle, WA (2022–Present): Support pipeline and strategic development for non-clinical IND-enabling studies in DMD, CMD, and muscular dystrophies.

• Okoye AA, Fromentin R, Takata H, […], Lifson JD, Picker LJ, Favre D, Trautmann L, Chomont N. The ingenol-based protein kinase C agonist GSK445A is a potent inducer of HIV and SIV RNA transcription. PLoS Pathog. 2022, Jan 18;18(1):e1010245
• Ortiz-Meoz R, Wang L, Matico R, […], Favre D, Bergamini G, Shewchuk L, Rendina A, Zhang G. Characterization of Apo-Form Selective Inhibition of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase. ChemBioChem 2021 Feb 2;22(3):516-522.
• Kazmierski WM, Xia B, Miller J, De la Rosa M, Favre D, […] Davie C, Messer JA, Samano V. DNA-Encoded Library Technology-Based Discovery, Lead Optimization, and Prodrug Strategy toward Structurally Unique Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) Inhibitors J Med Chem. 2020 Apr 9;63(7):3552-3562.
• Harper J, Gordon S, Chan CN […], Favre D, Estes JD, Paiardini M. CTLA-4 and PD-1 dual blockade induces SIV reactivation without control of rebound after antiretroviral therapy interruption Nature Medicine. 2020, March 16.
• Nixon CC, Mavigner M, Sampey GC, […], Favre D, Vanderford TH, Bosinger SE, Jones CD, Routy JP, Archin NM, Margolis DM, Wahl A, Dunham RM, Silvestri G, Chahroudi A, Garcia JV. Systemic HIV and SIV latency reversal via non-canonical NF-κB signaling in vivo. Nature. 2020 Feb;578(7793):160-165.
• Chomont N, Okoye A, Favre D, Trautmann L. Wake me up before you go: a strategy to reduce the latent HIV reservoir. AIDS. 2018 Jan 28;32(3):293-298.
• Fourati S, Cristescu R, Loboda A, […], Favre D, Gagnon D, Peretz Y, Wang IM, Beals CR, Casimiro DR, Carayannopoulos LN, Sekaly RP. Pre-vaccination inflammation and B-cell signaling predict age-related hyporesponse to hepatitis B vaccination. Nature Communication 2016 Jan 8;7:10369
• Landry N, Pillet S, Favre D, Poulin JF, Trépanier S, Yassine-Diab B, Ward BJ. Influenza virus-like particle vaccines made in Nicotiana benthamiana elicit durable, poly-functional and cross-reactive T cell responses to influenza HA antigens. Clin Immunol. 2014; 154(2):164-77.
• Favre D, Stoddart C, Emu B, Hoh R, Martin J, Hecht FR, Deeks J. McCune JM: HIV Disease Progression Correlates with the Generation of Dysfunctional Naïve CD8low T cells. Blood 2011, 117(7): 2189-99
• Favre D, Mold J, Hunt P, […], Deeks SD, McCune JM: Tryptophan catabolism by indole 2,3 dioxygenase alters the balance between Th17 cells and regulatory T cells in progressive HIV disease. Science Translational Medicine 2010, 32: 32-36.
• Loke P, Favre D, Hunt P, Leung J, Deeks S, McCune JM: Key relationships between immune correlates of viral control and gene expression patterns in PBMCs and gut mucosal tissues from HIV-infected patients Blood, 2010 DOI 10.1182
• Kanwar B, Favre D and McCune JM. Th17 and Tregs: implications for AIDS pathogenesis (review) Current Opinion in HIV/AIDS 2010; 5(2):151-157
• Favre D, Lederer S, Kanwar B, Ma ZM, […], Pandrea I, Miller CJ, Katze MG, McCune JM: Primary SIV infection causes rapid loss of the balance between Th17 and T regulatory cell populations in pathogenic infection of non-human primates. PLoS Pathog. 2009; 5(2):e1000025
• Lederer S, Favre D, Proll S, Walter K-A, Baskin CR, Palermo R, McCune JM, Katze GM: Functional genomic analysis of acute pathogenic versus non-pathogenic SIV infection in non-human primates. PLoS Pathog. 2009; 5(2):e1000269
• Schwewek M, Favre D, Martin JN, Deeks SG, McCune JM: HIV-induced Changes in T Cell Signaling Pathways. J Immunol 2008, 180: 6490-6500
• Miller CJ, Genescsa M, Abel K, Montefiore D, Forthal D, Bost K, Li J, Favre D, McCune JM: Antiviral antibodies are necessary for control of SIV replication J Virol. 2007, 81:5024-35
• Emu B, Sinclair E, Favre D, […], McCune JM, Deeks SG.. Phenotypic, functional, and kinetic parameters associated with apparent T-cell control of human immunodeficiency virus replication in individuals with and without antiretroviral treatment. J Virol. 79:14169-78, 2005
• Favre D, Blouin V, Provost N, Spizek R, Porrot F, Bohl D, Cherel Y, Salvetti A, Hurtrel B, Heard JM, Riviere Y, Moullier P. Lack of immune response against rTTA correlates with long-term doxycycline-regulated transgene expression in nonhuman primates after intramuscular injection of recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus J. Virol, 2002 76: 11605-11611
• Favre D, Provost N, Blouin V, Blancho G, Cherel Y, Salvetti A, Moullier P. Immediate and long-term safety of recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV) injection into the nonhuman primate muscle. Mol. Ther. 2001, 4: 559-566
• Favre D, Ferry N and Moullier, P. Critical aspects of viral vectors for gene transfer into the kidney. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2000, 11 Suppl 16: S149-53
• Favre D, Cherel Y, Provost N, Blouin V, Ferry N, Moullier P and Salvetti A. Hyaluronidase enhances recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated gene transfer in the rat skeletal muscle. Gene Ther. 7: 1417-1420, 2000.

• Co-founder and CSO, GeneXell, Inc. (2023): Developed business and scientific strategy for AAV manufacturing.
• Co-founder and CEO, SolvexBio Inc. (2022–2023): Led CRO strategy for neuromuscular disease models (FSHD, DMD).
• Advisor, KineaBio (2022–Present): Support pipeline and strategic development for DMD and CMD programs.